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“I won’t.” Nothing will keep me from being here for Remi. He’d do the exact same thing for me.
“Good. Just steer clear of my parents, okay?”
“Sure.” But if his asshole father starts ragging on his son, I will take it as a personal affront and put him in his place below the heel of my stilettos—metaphorically, of course. I need to keep a cool head for Remi’s sake, but I can still be a calculated player.
When Kiara goes back to join her family, I call to check on Isabel.
“Mommy!” she answers my video call with chocolate on her face and a sucker in her fist.
The sight fills some of the hollowness churning inside me. “Is Unty Jay giving you too much candy?”
“Don’t blame me. I told Ian—he’s bribing her so that he’s her favorite,” Jay defends themself.
Ian’s surfer-boy looks appear in the frame. “I am her favorite. I don’t have to bribe anyone. Isn’t that right, Isabel?”
“Yeah!”
Ian gives Jay a look that says, Told ya so.
“I thought Unty Jay is your favorite?” I tease because I know exactly what she’s going to say.
“Yeah!” she agrees, and Jay gives Ian a smug look.
“How about Remi, is he your favorite too?” I don’t let my voice crack when I say his name.
“Yeah! Mommy too!” Thus, proving my point—Isabel loves everyone.
“It’s safe to say, whomever is playing with her at the moment is her favorite. So, if she blows chunks later, Ian will have to clean it up.”
Ian’s nose wrinkles. “Okay, Isabelly, no more candy for you.”
Isabel pops the sucker out of her mouth. “Emmie come?”
Speaking of her favorite people…
“The doctor had to give Remi some medicine that made him sleepy.” My eyes sting, but I keep my voice light. “He’s going to rest and when he’s all better, he will go wherever you want him to.”
Her bottom lip sticks out, slaying my heart.
“I know, baby. Believe me, Remi misses you too.” This doesn’t assuage her fears as her face pinches before her mouth falls open and a cry bursts out.
Jay rubs her back. “Shhh, darling. He’s going to be just fine. Why don’t we draw Remi a picture? I’m sure when he sees it, he’ll get better fast.”
Rubbing her nose, she nods.
“Thanks, Jay. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“I would say dissolve into a vat of self-destruction, but it isn’t the right time, so I’ll just give you a condescending smile instead.”
This makes me laugh.
“There she is.” My best friend grins back. “Everything is great here, so don’t worry about a thing.”
“I don’t. Love you.” I sniff.
“Love you too, Mars Bars.”
When the line goes dead, I hold my phone to my chest and take a moment to give into my emotions.
